According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national annual projected job opening from 2020 to 2030 for medical assistants, is 18 percent, or 104,400 jobs.
Meanwhile, the annual projected job opening in Texas from 2018 to 2028 is 27 percent, or 9,300 jobs.
Medical assistants in Texas are not required to have formal education. They have the option to take a certificate program and associate degree, which lasts for one to two years. However, according to the Texas Workforce Commission, medical assistants rank third in the jobs requiring an associate degree or postsecondary education.
In Texas, there is no state governing body in charge of medical assistants, and there are no published duties for medical assistants. Moreover, according to the American Association of Medical Assistants, the medical assistants can follow the Texas statute, which states that physicians can delegate the clinical and administrative tasks to any knowledgeable unlicensed healthcare professionals, including medical assistants, under their direct supervision.
Some clinical tasks include performing intramuscular, intradermal, and subcutaneous injections, including immunizations and vaccinations.
Medical assistants in Texas are unlicensed and are not required to have a certification. Yet, some employers may require certification to get the job. Whichever medical assistant programs you are looking at, make sure they are properly accredited.
Listed below are the five certifications for medical assistants accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies:
As of May 2021, the annual median wage for medical assistants in the US is $37,190, with a median hourly rate of $17.88.
In Texas, the annual median wage is $35,520, with a median hourly rate of $17.08. Medical assistants can also earn an annual wage of as high as $45,850, with an hourly rate of $22.04.
This is the state affiliate of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).
This is a trilevel organization that administers the Certified Medical Assistant (AAMA)®—or CMA (AAMA)® exam.
This association administers the Medical Assistant Certification (MAC) exam and Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMAC) exam.
This association administers the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) Certification exam.
This is an independent credentialing organization accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, which administers the National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA).
This association administers the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam and Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) exam.